Ready or Not, Here Life Comes

This camel is waiting alongside other camels. S/He and the others are ready to obey their master’s bidding. They are ready to pick up their burdens (people) and saunter along the path that leads out of the canyon of Petra.

In July of 2009, I almost didn’t ride my first camel.

Before going to Jordan to teach English with 3 other people from my church (Michelle, Mike, and Sydney), Michelle and I had planned on riding a camel. But when it came down to making the transaction, I almost said “No.” The ride cost more than I thought it would and I was afraid. They are very BIG animals.

I am glad I listened to Michelle and said “Yes.”

Michelle’s camel was enamoured with mine. S/He kept bumping into and nuzzling my camel. I was afraid s/he would bite me.

At one point our camels started running. I held on for dear life. It probably wasn’t that fast, but I am no rider, and unlike my camel, I was not ready was for this.

Sometimes advance planning does not help us (me) do what we (I) had planned.

It does not make us (me) ready.

What helped in this case was a friend’s intervention. First, she listened to my objections. She let me speak my fears. Then she helped me to follow our plan.

I am grateful for those types of people in my life. People who listen without an agenda. People who let me speak what’s on my mind and heart. And then after I’ve been heard, they speak truth into the situation. They help me be READY for the events in my life.

I am grateful for Michelle. Do you have a “Michelle” in your life?

I am linking this to the WordPress weekly photo challenge. This week’s word is Ready.